PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go once more appealed to all eligible Filipinos to get vaccinated during an activity for struggling residents in Davao City on Thursday, October 21. In a video message, Go warned the public against pandemic fatigue and called for their continuing vigilance and cooperation to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.

“Pakiusap, kailangan namin ang kooperasyon at disiplina niyo. Kung gusto niyo makamtam natin ang population protection ngayong taon, para masaya naman ang Pasko natin, magpabakuna kayo. Huwag kayo matakot dahil kahit kami ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ay bakunado na rin,” encouraged Go.

“Kung mahal niyo ang inyong pamilya, ‘wag niyong sayangin ang pagkakataon kung nasa priority list kayo at sumunod tayo sa mga awtoridad. Tingnan niyo sa ibang bansa. Umakyat ang bilang ng mga kaso nila dahil sa mga variants. Ayaw nating bumagsak ang ating healthcare system kaya pakiusap ‘wag tayo maging kampante,” he added.

The senator's staff distributed meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 1,020 indigent residents and fire victims at the Barangays Cadalian and Carmen covered courts and Tinago Drive in Brgy. Matina Crossing. They also provided each fire victim with financial assistance.

Meanwhile, the same activity was held at the 1105th Community Defense Center where Go’s staff extended the same relief to 133 army reservists.

Selected residents were given bicycles and new pairs of shoes. Some received computer tablets for children’s participation in their classes under the blended learning set-up.

Personnel of various national agencies involved in the government’s pandemic response were likewise present to offer other forms of aid. The Department of Social Welfare and Development handed out financial assistance while the Department of Agriculture gave away assorted vegetable seeds.

The Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also evaluated potential beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, the senator offered to help those in need of medical care and advised them to seek medical assistance from the government through the Malasakit Center at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in the said city.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which provides convenient access to the medical assistance programs offered by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The program was institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go primarily authored and sponsored in the Senate. There are currently 144 centers established across the country which have assisted some three million patients altogether.

The senator ended his message by acknowedeging various individuals for the assistance they extended, including Colonel Ruben Matillano, Commander of the 11th Regional Community Defense Group; Community Defense Command Director Major Manuel Gatus; First Lt. Alvin Tesoro; Carmen Punong Barangay Alfredo Austral Sr.; Cadalian Punong Barangay Aristides Cajes; and 76-A Bucana Punong Barangay Rolando Trajera.

To enhance the delivery of public services in Davao City, Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the purchase of multi-purpose vehicles for Barangays Carmen and Cadalian.

He supported the concreting of the footbridges in Brgy. Tibungco and construction of a drainage system in Brgy. Mahayag. He likewise helped in the acquisition of ambulance units for Barangays Gatungan, Mintal and Buhangin as well as in the improvement of roads, multipurpose buildings and drainage systems in various barangays.

On October 9, his staff organized separate relief activities in Barangays Colosas and Tapak for 1,000 struggling residents. The activities were carried out in batches to ensure strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)